As my four years of college come to an end, I naturally have been reminiscing about the crazy adventurous journey that I have been on. The shy, timid girl who stepped foot into the United States for the first time to come to college is almost unrecognizable to me now. I have had the privilege to meet some of the best people I know, educate myself in various fields, challenge myself in different ways, and explore numerous facets of myself, all while living through a pandemic! So, I think it’s safe to say that these four years have taught me things along the way, and here are the key life lessons I took away:
1. Say “yes” more!
I am the type of person to overthink everything, and so my first instinct is to say “no” to things! While saying “no” is good and healthy to set boundaries for certain things, saying “yes” to fun, spontaneous or new things in your life can be beneficial. You never know what adventures you might end up on or better yet, who you meet along the way. I ended up meeting some of my best friends in college through the weirdest situations just because I decided to take a leap of faith and said “yes” instead of “no.” Obviously, prioritize your health, work, and academics but don’t miss out on opportunities! It is unfortunate that the Class of 2023 lost a chunk of their time at college to the pandemic, and there are more moments now when I wish we could make up for the lost time. So, don’t wait for the perfect opportunity and go to that sports game. Try out a new restaurant. Join a new club (Her Campus duh!). Because it goes by in a flash, and you don’t want to look back and regret the things you never did!
2. Failure isn’t the end
Take it from someone who failed a class in college and cried about it for days; failure isn’t the end. I know it’s a cliche, but in the rat race of college and life, it can feel like failing at something is the end-all-be-all. But, I am here to tell you, that failure is merely a stepping stone in the right direction. I know it can be hard on us folks who have thrived off of academic validation their whole life, but you are more than just the one exam or class you failed.
3. It’s okay not to be okay
College is a time for a lot of new changes in your life, and sometimes those changes can be unexpected and unpleasant. You are trying to balance your academics, work, a social life, and find time for self-growth, so give yourself some grace. It’s okay to have bad days or not be able to juggle all your responsibilities. So skip that class if you need the extra sleep or call out of work to protect your mental health. Life is rough as it is without the added pressure from ourselves, so just be gentle with yourself. Even if it may seem minor, consider reaching out for professional help – there’s no shame in it!
I am grateful to have called UMass Amherst a home for the past four years. It has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So, my last parting advice, soak it all in before you blink and it’s over!
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